News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-09-08
THE GOLDEN CALF.

Giles the incarnation of fat divi-
dends.'
SIS he SO very rich.''
Rolling in money-might buy up
half the city, they say"
''And really now, I come to look at
him, not a bad looking man, murmured
the Countess, focusing the gentleman
under discussion with very effective
double eye-glass.
Geraldine, my love, that is Mr.. Op-
timus Codd over there in the doorway. :"
The beautiful &c. aldine turned very
naughty head and gave a scornful little
laugh.
And who, pray, mamma. is Mr.. Opti-
mus Codd.''
The young man standing between the
two ladies looked steadily Mt the beauti-
ful young lady in diaphanous white tulle,
saying
He is the Golden Calf of this year.
Lady Geraldine You will soon know
him by sight. He is making his mark
In society. He has asked to be pre-
santed to YOU. Lady Umfreville, have
your permission?''
The Countess smiled gracious con-
sent on Mr.. Rupert Paulet. She at
o1ce absolve this penniless detrimental,
who had been hanging around her sacri-
fetal lamb too closely of late, for his
past offences 1t was such very de-
siTabls mltter to get hold of this mil
lionaire stockbroher at an early part of
his career.
Mr.. Optimus Codd in his own sphere
was man of mark. People in the city
pointed at him respectfully as the pos
SCISSOR of untold wealth; but it had only
recently entered into the mind of this
enterprslng operator to make an effort
70 enter fashionable society. This great
nlan-for he was very great in the realms
of stock and ''the things that are always
going up and down in the city'-had
recently purchased house in Mayfair.
where he gave most recherche banquets.
He had also contriyed to ebe elected to-
two or three good clubs. In conse-
quence society was making inquiries |
about him, and using every endeavor to |
substantiate the rumors of his enor- |
nous wealth. Doors could not be shut /
upon an absolute Croesus. In exterior
tie gentleman who was the object of so |
many attentions was not at all prepos- |
sessing, in spite of Lady Umfreville's |
charitable verdict. He had q good-na- |
trlred, fat face, with no salient features, |
and reddish hair of n refractory nature. |
His small gray eyes had, however, at |
times a singularly keen and acute re-
gard. Such eyes might fathom a good |
deal of humbug. He dressed well and
wore no jewelry, bearing the manner |
and voice of a gentleman. His discre- !
ton showed itself in nothing more than
In his ability to keep silence about him
self and others.
When Mr.. Codd slowly made his way
across the ballroom toward the striking
group near the conservatory he was the
object of many regards. After the !
Honorable Rupert had presented his |
friend in due form to the stately coun-
tess and her lovely daughter, he re-
manned few minutes IN conversation !
with the party, finally offering his arm !
to convey her ladyship to supper. She
gave an anxious backward look toward |
LAZY Geraldine and the handsome |
young man left near her 1t was I'M
avoidable; the only thing to be done
was to put her wits together and make
the most of the present opportunity.
''You have box at the opera, 1 be- |
lieve Mr.. COdd2 We are so anxious to |
hear Patti on her first night"
This was an audacious opening, but |
the countess being poor and a widow,
never finched before an attempt of this
sort. 1t WAS her duty to make use of |
rich acquaintances.
81 shall be delighted if you will ac-
cept my box for that evening" was the
natural rejoinder from one unused to
impecuniOus countesses.
Lady Umfreville went away smiling
that evening, and thankfully felt that
her labor and Geraldine's new dress had
not been in vain.
Within week Mr.. Optimus Coddhad
been invited to partake of various small
very small-forms of hospitality at
Prince's-gate. Little teas and light
luncheons might bring young people
together quite as advantageously as
more costly entertainments. Her lady
ship was skilled matchmaker. Two
daughters had already been disposed
of in their first season. But this was
now Lady Geraldine's second year in
the market. She was certainly more
difficult to manage than the docile elder
sisters had been. Still, Lady Umfre-
vile did not despair of settling her this
season. June had only just begun.
There was fourth girl coming in
shortly. Lady Margaret was still in {
the schoolroom, though fully entitled to s
be emancipated, and she was a spirited !
young lady who might be more difficult !
to control than all her predecessors.
fWhat is he like, Jerry? mean the
city man that every one is talking ,
about. / know mamma thinks yon
have captivated him. You might '
bring him up to the schoolroor2 for nv I
some day. Pretend you |
want to show him your drawings.
81 should like to see a tock-broker. {
His name has very fsh-like smell. {
Fancy being Lady Geraldine Codd I
Does he look like a gentleman Don't ,
you think you had better turn him over :
to me, Jerry?" $
Here the lively Lady Margaret began
dancing about the room. ''Shan't have $
a line time of it when / come out | +
mean to make up for being kept back a
year. You see you must be out of the !
way, Jerry. You are so very good-look- l
Lady Geraldine answered, smiling;
do be sensible, Maggie, and I'll tell
you all about Mr.. Optimus Codd. Well.
ne rather lat, and without any particu-
lar expression, but / think he's verv ,
good natured. I really think 1 like him
and il lovely blush rose to her ,
face. .
55H you hadn't fallen in love with
some one else, and if you were quite
sure Mr.. Optimus Codd didn't want to
marry you. Don't you be the least bit
gracious to him or he'll say you gave
him encouragement. They always do
if you are polite. But, Geraldine, l ad-
wise you to give up Reggie Paulet. He
has next to nothing, and you can't mar
ry on love"
Lady Geraldine tossed up her pretty
head. ''You mind your own business,